Ryan Clark Raising Awareness For Sickle Cell, Talks Steelers

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PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Ryan Clark joined the guys to promote “Cleats for a Cure,” which is an event that will take place on Dec. 10 to benefit The Cure League, which raises funds and awareness for sickle cell anemia.

The event will take place at Engine House 25 in Lawrenceville.

Ryan and his teammates have donated game-worn cleats that will be painted by local artists to fit the player’s personality. The one-of-a-kind shoes will be autographed by the player and auctioned off that night.

Ryan tried wearing a new helmet on Sunday night that was lined with Kevlar. The helmet is bigger, and less comfortable. But, Ryan sustained two concussions recently, and tells us that the safety that the helmet provides is worth the slight discomfort.

Looking farther down the road in life, Ryan says that he knows he will have issues from the rigors of football. However, he says that he can’t think about that now, because it will take from his game if he plays cautiously, or even thinks about repercussions.

Ed Reed was suspended for his hit on Emmanuel Sanders, and Ryan says that it would be hypocritical of him to say that he agrees with the suspension. Ryan has been fined and suspended for hits that he thought were not worthy of such steep penalties.

Ryan tells the guys that everyone on the team knew that Byron Leftwich was hurt. They all respected him for wanting to go back out and help the team win, battling through the pain.

He tells us that the team, coaches, and training staff have enough trust in one-another to have open communication when a player is unable to continue.